Singer to perform only European gig for sell-out crowd

US singer-songwriter Billy Joel will perform in Cardiff for the first time on Friday evening, in front of a sell-out crowd.

The Principality Stadium gig is the artist’s only performance in Europe this year.

More than 70,000 fans are expected to head to the stadium, with a full city centre road closure planned.

“The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy due to this concert – so please plan ahead,” a Cardiff council spokesperson said.

Joel, who is one of the best-selling artists in US chart history, is best known for tracks including Piano Man, Uptown Girl and We Didn’t Start the Fire.

His gig at the Principality Stadium follows a string of recent performances at the venue from other US superstars including Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, Pink and the Foo Fighters.

In July, Joel ended a 10-year residency at Madison Square Gardens in New York City.

But speaking to Zoe Ball on BBC Radio 2 last year, the 75-year-old said he had no plans to stop performing.

“I’m the least glamorous pop star there is,” he said.

“I mean I just sit at the piano and play the piano. I’m in my 70s, I’m not a matinee idol. So why are you coming to see me in the first place? But it all has to do with the music.”

Fellow US singer-songwriter Chris Isaak will be supporting Billy Joel on Friday.

The 68-year-old musician from Stockton, California, is best known for his 1989 single Wicked Game.

“We had a blast rocking out in the UK last year, and we’re thrilled to be returning for more headlining shows,” Isaak said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Looking forward to supporting Billy Joel at his epic stadium show in Cardiff on August 9th too. It’s gonna be one heck of a run!”

The Principality Stadium gates will open at 17:00 BST with Chris Isaak expected to perform at 18:45.

Billy Joel will take to the stage at around 20:00 with the show coming to a close at 22:00.

A number of roads will be closed throughout the city centre on Friday.

From 07:00, both Scott Road and Park Street will be closed.

Then, from 15:00, a full city centre closure will be in effect. This includes:

• Duke Street
• Castle St
• High Street
• St Mary Street
• Caroline Street
• Wood Street
• Central Square
• Westgate Street
• Quay Street
• Guildhall Place
• Golate
• Park Street
• Havelock Street
• Scott Road
• Kingsway from its junction with North Road to its junction with Duke Street
• Cowbridge Road East from its junction with Cathedral Road to its junction with Westgate Street
• Tudor Street from its junction with Clare Road to its junction with Wood Street
• Plantagenet Street and Beauchamp Street from their junctions with Despenser Place to their junctions with Tudor Street
• Station Terrace and Guildford Street from the junction with Newport Road to the junction with Churchill Way
• Penarth Road will be closed 30 minutes before the concert finishes and up to an hour after the concert ends

All road closures should be lifted at 00:00 following the event.

The M4 motorway is expected to be very busy, Cardiff council has warned.

Event day parking, available between 08:00 and 00:00, is being offered for a fee at the civic centre.

A park and ride service is being operated by the council between Leckwith and Fitzhammon Embankment, opposite the stadium.

Transport for Wales said it would be providing additional capacity on rail routes in and out of Cardiff.

Great Western Railway said it would be putting on extra trains to get people home from the concert in the evening.